Rihani, a veteran product leader with more than 15 years of experience, will oversee the growth and development of Nubank Crypto, the company’s platform that enables customers to buy, sell and store digital currencies directly in the Nubank app.  The service has already attracted 6.6 million users. He will report to Thomaz Fortes, executive director for crypto and digital assets. “I’m dedicating the rest of my career to bitcoin and improving the world’s financial system,” Rihani said.  “If you want to build something new and impactful, there is no better place than Nubank. Nubank Crypto has become one of the most competitive options on the market, and it’s a privilege to work with a team ready to redefine the future of money.” Rihani brings extensive fintech and technology credentials. At Coinbase, he served as Director of Product, leading areas including transfers, payments, and the firm’s debit and credit card businesses.  His career also spans Cash App, where he contributed to financial product development, as well as Tesla, where he worked with Elon Musk on introducing bitcoin payments to the company’s website. At Apple, he played a key role in flagship products such as Apple Pay on the Web, Apple Card, and Apple Cash. The appointment underscores Nubank’s ambitions to expand its role in the digital finance ecosystem and consolidate its leadership in crypto adoption across the region. The post Nubank Appoints Former Coinbase Executive Michael Rihani as Head of Crypto appeared first on LeapRate.

Nelson, who currently serves on the boards of both HSBC Holdings and HSBC UK Bank, will receive an annual fee of £1.5 million in line with the company’s remuneration policy approved at the 2025 annual general meeting.  He will not receive any additional director fees during his interim tenure. The bank said Nelson and Sir Mark had “undertaken a thorough handover process, in line with regulatory requirements, over recent months to support a smooth transition of responsibilities.” The search for a permanent Group Chair is continuing, led by Ann Godbehere, HSBC’s senior independent director. The company said further updates on the succession process will be provided in due course. Sir Mark will remain involved with the bank as a strategic adviser to Group Chief Executive Noel Quinn and the board until a permanent successor is appointed. Nelson, a former chair of the Financial Reporting Council and long-serving KPMG partner, has been on HSBC’s board since 2018.  HSBC said the leadership transition underscores its commitment to continuity and stability during the search for a long-term successor. The post HSBC Confirms Brendan Nelson as Interim Group Chair from October appeared first on LeapRate.

The expanded partnership aims to enhance Korean won (KRW) payment flows into Korea and support the rising demand for international corporate transactions.  By linking Hana Bank London into SFL’s global correspondent network, the deal is expected to improve the ability of both firms to provide efficient, cost-effective foreign exchange and remittance services. Hana Bank already leverages StoneX Payments’ platform to facilitate local currency transactions across Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia.  The new arrangement is said to allow Hana Bank to expand its service to global clients while providing StoneX with greater capability in KRW settlement. Chiwoo Lee, Deputy General Manager of Hana Bank London, said the move aligned with the Korean government’s policy to extend FX trading hours. “It’s great to not only contribute to StoneX’s KRW payment capabilities, but also to align with the Korean government’s intent to open up the FX market,” he noted. Thiago Vieira, Global Head of StoneX Payments, called Hana Bank an “ideal partner” for StoneX’s Asia expansion, while Won Kyung Cho, Head of StoneX Payments Korea, said the agreement would “unlock new opportunities and business potential for Korea-related companies.” The post StoneX and Hana Bank Expand Partnership to Boost Cross-Border Payments appeared first on LeapRate.

Del Vecchio, who worked at Freedom Finance Australia from 2016 until 2023, was found guilty in April of 24 counts of obtaining financial advantage by deception.  He is said to have misled victims into believing their money was being invested in bonds, shares, and term deposits. On 16 April 2025, the County Court of Victoria sentenced him to seven years and six months in prison, with parole possible after four years. The offences occurred between February 2020 and December 2023. ASIC said the permanent ban prevents Del Vecchio from providing financial services, controlling or managing financial services businesses, or performing any function within them.  The decision took effect on 15 September 2025 and has been recorded on the regulator’s banned and disqualified register. Chairman Paul S. Atkins stated that the ruling underscored the regulator’s commitment to safeguarding consumers from financial misconduct. Del Vecchio had previously been an authorised representative for Financial Services Partners and later Wealth Trail, both licensed financial services providers. ASIC noted he retains the right to appeal the decision through the Administrative Review Tribunal, though his fraud conviction already disqualifies him from future participation in the industry. The regulator said the case underscored its ongoing focus on misconduct within financial advice. The post ASIC Permanently Bans Former Financial Adviser After $4.5m Fraud Conviction appeared first on LeapRate.

The joint venture will combine Fujitsu’s advanced quantum hardware and software expertise with SC Ventures’ experience in building and scaling ventures.  Together, the firms plan to create a platform enabling corporates to explore, develop, and integrate quantum and quantum-inspired applications. Fujitsu is currently working with RIKEN on the development of a 1,000-qubit superconducting quantum computer due to go live in fiscal 2026, with ambitions to scale to more than 10,000 physical qubits by 2030.  The project is expected to leverage these developments to build solutions initially focused on fraud detection, risk simulations, derivative pricing, algorithmic trading, and credit decision-making, with scope to expand into other sectors. Apurv Suri, Client Engagement & Partnerships Lead at SC Ventures, said the industry remained fragmented, with firms excelling in either hardware or algorithmic tools. “By joining forces with Fujitsu, we want to unlock quantum resources and talent on one platform for corporates looking to scale their quantum capabilities,” he said. Stafford Bond, Head of Growth Investments at Fujitsu UK, described the partnership as “a bold step toward democratising access to quantum capabilities,” highlighting its potential to deliver transformative value through innovation and integration. The post SC Ventures and Fujitsu Launch Project Quanta to Accelerate Quantum Applications appeared first on LeapRate.

The experiment is said to have combined classical and quantum computing resources to optimise pricing strategies in over-the-counter bond trading, where banks compete to provide quotes to clients.  Using IBM’s Heron processor, HSBC tested real production-scale trading data, demonstrating that quantum techniques could better identify hidden pricing signals in noisy datasets. Philip Intallura, HSBC’s Group Head of Quantum Technologies, hailed the trial as “a ground-breaking world-first in bond trading,” adding that it provided “a tangible example of how today’s quantum computers could solve a real-world business problem at scale.” IBM Quantum Vice President Jay Gambetta described the collaboration as proof of what is possible “when deep domain expertise is integrated with cutting-edge algorithm research.”  He said the work highlighted how combining classical and quantum approaches could transform industries as the technology matures. HSBC said the results strengthened its belief that quantum computing could soon offer a competitive edge in financial services.  The bank has been exploring near-term applications of the technology, focusing on areas where quantum can augment existing systems rather than replace them outright. IBM’s quantum computers are available via the cloud, with tools such as Qiskit enabling integration into financial workflows. The post HSBC and IBM Trial Quantum-Enabled Algorithmic Bond Trading appeared first on LeapRate.

Broadridge has also taken a minority stake in WealthFeed, signalling confidence in the firm’s growth trajectory. The collaboration is expected to integrate WealthFeed’s real-time “money-in-motion” insights and prospecting tools with Broadridge’s AdvisorStream digital marketing platform.  This aims to help advisors identify opportunities linked to key life events and nurture relationships with tailored communications. Mike Alexander, President of Broadridge Wealth Management, said the partnership equips advisors with digital tools that “free them to focus on personalising service and helping investors achieve their financial goals.” WealthFeed’s Co-Founder and CEO, Sam Kendree, called the collaboration “transformative,” noting it will allow advisors to “act on key life events with precision and scale.” The platform combines WealthFeed’s datasets with Broadridge’s InvestorView analytics to predict potential investable assets, helping advisors focus on the most promising prospects.  It will be available to independent advisors, RIA home offices and enterprises, offering automation, licensed content, and digital engagement capabilities. Broadridge said the investment would accelerate WealthFeed’s product development while enhancing its own partner ecosystem, which already includes Salesforce, Uptiq, YourStake, and Wix. The post Broadridge and WealthFeed Join Forces to Boost Advisor Lead Generation appeared first on LeapRate.

Eurobonds, valued at more than €14 trillion, support a diverse range of issuers and investors across 130 countries. The two International Central Securities Depositories (ICSDs) have also co-developed the Issuance & Processing Taxonomy (IPT), an industry-wide, technology-agnostic data standard designed to reduce fragmentation.  The IPT is said to support APIs and will soon be extended to include token taxonomy for distributed-ledger technology. According to Euroclear’s Head of Product Strategy & Innovation, Isabelle Delorme, the new taxonomy is “a game changer for clients wanting to use APIs to issue Eurobonds and preparing to issue tokenised bonds.” Jens Hachmeister, Head of Issuer Services & New Digital Markets at Clearstream, described the project as “a testament to the collaborative efforts between the ICSDs and across the industry,” adding that digitisation would allow Eurobonds to act as a blueprint for stronger European capital markets. The shift to digital issuance is expected to deliver multiple benefits, including faster trading, lower costs from the removal of physical certificates, improved security against forgery or theft, and greater transparency through electronic ownership records. Euroclear and Clearstream said the initiative lays the groundwork for a fully digital Eurobond market, paving the way for lifecycle automation and further adoption of distributed-ledger technologies. The post Euroclear and Clearstream to Digitise €14 Trillion Eurobond Market appeared first on LeapRate.

The deal extends GCEX’s reach from its established over-the-counter trading, conversion and technology services into wealth management, targeting high-net-worth individuals and asset managers.  The companies plan to integrate their platforms, combining GCEX’s regulated multi-asset trading infrastructure and Tier 1 liquidity with GlobalBlock’s proprietary AI-driven fund management technology. Lars Holst, founder and chief executive of GCEX, said: “Acquiring GlobalBlock is a strategic leap forward for GCEX, expanding our footprint, our client base, our team, and our capabilities. GlobalBlock’s founders have built a standout, profitable firm, with world-class products.” GCEX said the partnership would strengthen its position in both traditional and digital finance, giving clients broader product access, market-leading pricing and advanced trading platforms. Holst added that both firms share “values in terms of innovation, service and integrity.” David Thomas, co-founder of GlobalBlock, described the acquisition as a natural fit: “Their strong regulatory licenses and global reach perfectly complement our business model. This partnership allows us to expand our wealth management and digital asset solutions while continuing to operate under the GlobalBlock brand that our clients trust.” GCEX holds licences in the UK, Denmark and Dubai, while GlobalBlock is regulated in Lithuania. The combined group aims to accelerate growth globally, with backing from investor True Global Ventures and legal support from DLA Piper. The post GCEX Acquires GlobalBlock to Expand Digital Assets Offering appeared first on LeapRate.

The move is seen as a way to modernise financial infrastructure across capital markets and banking. The Calypso platform, widely used for treasury and capital markets operations, will now be available as a fully managed cloud service, with Nasdaq overseeing the underlying technology.  This will allow institutions to streamline front-to-back-office workflows, strengthen risk management and meet evolving regulatory demands without the burden of maintaining complex legacy systems. Magnus Haglind, Head of Capital Markets Technology at Nasdaq, described the move as “a strategic inflection point for infrastructure across the capital markets ecosystem”.  He added that cloud and managed services are “increasingly becoming the preferred model for mission-critical platforms” as firms seek scalability and resilience. AWS said the collaboration would enable financial institutions to balance innovation with operational stability.  John Kain, Director of Financial Services Market Development, commented: “Our expanded collaboration enhances Nasdaq Calypso’s solution with high-performing, scalable and secure infrastructure.” Nasdaq emphasised the benefits of the managed service, including faster technology upgrades, simplified data architecture and the integration of advanced AI analytics.  Nasdaq technology already underpins 97% of global systemically important banks, half of the top 25 stock exchanges and 35 central banks worldwide, underscoring its reach across financial markets. The post Nasdaq Expands AWS Partnership appeared first on LeapRate.

The round was led by Interactive Brokers, with significant participation from major institutions including Morgan Stanley, Apollo-managed funds, SoFi, Jump Crypto, Northwestern Mutual Future Ventures, FTMO, IMC and Liberty City Ventures.  Existing backers such as PEAK6, tastytrade and Nyca Partners also took part. For several of these investors, it is said to mark their first commitment to crypto and stablecoin ventures. The new funding lifts Zero Hash’s total capital raised to $275 million since its founding in 2017.  The company, which provides regulatory-compliant infrastructure enabling businesses to embed crypto, stablecoin and tokenisation services, said the capital will accelerate product expansion, talent growth and global reach.  Its infrastructure is already used by firms including Interactive Brokers, Stripe, BlackRock’s BUIDL Fund, Franklin Templeton, DraftKings and Republic. “We are building the AWS of on-chain infrastructure,” said Edward Woodford, CEO and founder of Zero Hash. “This raise, and the calibre of our investors, is testament to the trust we’ve built. Crypto, stablecoins and tokenisation aren’t coming – it’s here – and Zero Hash is the engine behind the scenes.” Milan Galik, CEO of Interactive Brokers, said the firm was deepening its partnership with Zero Hash, highlighting its “regulatory-first approach and proven scalability”.  SoFi’s CEO, Anthony Noto, added that blockchain represents “a technology super cycle that will reshape financial services”. The post Zero Hash Hits $1 Billion Valuation After $104m Raise Led by Interactive Brokers appeared first on LeapRate.

Johnson has held the role of COO since 2017, overseeing the SEC’s operational and administrative functions.  These include human resources, acquisitions, financial management, information technology, the EDGAR business office, and support operations such as records management and facilities. “Ken has been an integral leader at the SEC for more than two decades,” said SEC Chairman Paul S. Atkins. “He has served this agency and the country with ultimate integrity, furthering our mission with his adept oversight of SEC operations and administrative functions.” Reflecting on his career, Johnson said it had been “the honour of a lifetime to work with the exceptional staff of the SEC.”  “I also want to extend a special appreciation to the Commission’s operational and administrative professionals, who work skilfully behind the scenes to make sure the agency can continue its critical work on behalf of investors and our markets,” he added. Prior to becoming COO, Johnson served as the SEC’s chief financial officer from 2010 to 2017, and earlier as a management analyst. He joined the agency in 2003 from the Congressional Budget Office. The post SEC Chief Operating Officer Ken Johnson to Retire appeared first on LeapRate.

The fintech, which has grown to 65 million customers worldwide, including 12 million in the UK, aims to reach 100 million users by mid-2027. To support this growth, Revolut will invest $13 billion (£10 billion) over the next five years, creating 10,000 jobs globally.  Of this, $4 billion (£3 billion) will be directed to the UK, generating more than 1,000 new roles. “Our mission has always been to simplify money for our customers, and our vision to become the world’s first truly global bank is the ultimate expression of that,” Chief executive and co-founder Nik Storonsky said. “Today’s opening of our new Global HQ in London is the launchpad for our future.” The expansion is expected to be underpinned by four pillars: International expansion, product innovation, the continued growth of Revolut Business, and category-disrupting strategic partnerships.  The company is pushing ahead with licensing and launches across Latin America, APAC, Africa and the Middle East, while also strengthening its European presence with a new Western Europe hub in Paris. Revolut Business, the group’s B2B arm, has surpassed $1 billion in annualised revenue and is processing over four million monthly merchant payments. Revolut also highlighted its global partnership with the future Audi F1 Team, with plans for co-branded products. The company said its HQ opening and investment programme will accelerate its path towards becoming the world’s leading financial services provider. The post Revolut Opens Global HQ in London, Targets 100 Million Retail Customers by 2027 appeared first on LeapRate.

Amount, which has processed more than 150 million new account applications, provides cloud-native, AI-enabled solutions that streamline digital account opening across lending, cards and deposits for banks, lenders and credit unions.  The integration of its technology into FIS’ systems is expected to expand opportunities for both consumer and small business customers. Stephanie Ferris, chief executive of FIS, said: “After years of successful partnership, we are thrilled to welcome Amount’s talented team and innovative capabilities to FIS. Our strategy and investments have positioned FIS to lead the next generation of banking solutions, enabling financial institutions to thrive in today’s digital-first world with confidence, innovation and reliability.” Adam Hughes, chief executive of Amount, described the move as “an exciting new chapter,” noting that FIS’ scale, infrastructure and regulatory expertise would help accelerate digital transformation and strengthen its market position. The acquisition is said to fit within FIS’ broader strategy of delivering innovative solutions across what it terms the “money lifecycle,” from deposits “at rest” to credit card issuance and payments “in motion” and tools that improve lending efficiency “at work.” According to Stewart Watterson, strategic adviser at Datos Insights, the deal positions FIS as a leader in digital account origination: “By unifying digital origination and decisioning, FIS empowers financial institutions to accelerate growth, reduce friction and deliver great customer experiences.” The post FIS Acquires Amount to Boost Digital Banking Capabilities appeared first on LeapRate.

The move is said to challenge the dominance of traditional providers in the $50 billion market data sector. Developed with Douro Labs, Pyth Pro offers institutional-grade data across cryptocurrencies, equities, fixed income, commodities and foreign exchange.  Early adopters include Jump Trading Group and several large banks, signalling strong demand for an alternative to legacy data platforms. The company stated that the service aims to tackle long-standing inefficiencies in the industry, where firms often face fragmented coverage, opaque pricing and complex integration requirements.  Instead, Pyth Pro consolidates cross-asset, cross-venue and cross-regional data under a single subscription, with transparent tiered pricing replacing the hidden fees and bundling practices common among incumbent providers. “Pyth Pro sets a new standard for how institutions access market data, creating a single source of truth across asset classes, venues, and geographies,” said Mike Cahill, chief executive of Douro Labs. “This launch represents a significant step forward in reshaping the market data economy, closing the gap to true price discovery.” The platform is said to source pricing directly from leading trading firms, banks and exchanges, enhancing reliability with transparent aggregation and confidence intervals. Data can be delivered both onchain and offchain in familiar formats, streamlining integration with trading, risk management and compliance systems. Jump Trading Group welcomed the launch, calling Pyth “one of the most comprehensive and valuable sources of market data ever created,” and said Pyth Pro would bring competition and transparency to the market data landscape. The post Pyth Network Unveils Pyth Pro for Institutional Clients appeared first on LeapRate.

The initiative, which marks the latest step in Eurex’s push to “futurize” markets, will launch on 27 October with three thematic QIS index futures based on indices from Société Générale and Solactive. The firm explained that the new futures aim to make systematically managed investment approaches more accessible by shifting products traditionally traded over-the-counter (OTC) into a listed, centrally cleared format.  Eurex said the move would reduce complexity and costs linked to regulatory frameworks such as the Uncleared Margin Rules, while opening the door to a wider range of investors, including pension funds and asset managers. “The new QIS futures reflect Eurex’s ambition to futurize markets,” said Elena Marchidann, global product lead for total return derivatives at Eurex. “By offering a centrally cleared, listed alternative to OTC swaps, we are reducing costs and complexity while widening investor access.” Premialab will provide index data and analytics, including performance and risk metrics, to ensure transparency. Each product will also be supported by a Sponsored Trading Participant to facilitate liquidity and efficient pricing. Adrien Geliot, chief executive of Premialab, said the initiative “expands access to QIS strategies for a wider range of institutional investors, creating new opportunities for portfolio diversification.” Eurex plans to broaden the product suite over time to include long-short strategies, volatility-targeted indices and multi-asset approaches, subject to regulatory approval. The post Eurex and Premialab Launch QIS Index Futures to Broaden Investor Access appeared first on LeapRate.

Built on the foundation of the Lightspeed Trader system, the company said the new platform introduces a modernised interface, advanced customisation and integrated intelligence tools.  The firm said it is now available for download across desktop and mobile devices, ensuring traders can operate seamlessly on the move. “Lightspeed Trader Pro represents the next evolution of our trading technology, offering enhanced customisation, an improved UI/UX, real-time intelligence, and expanded flexibility for our clients,” said Tom Gibb, President and Chief Operating Officer at Lightspeed. “By preserving the features traders already value while introducing powerful new tools, we’re delivering a platform purpose-built for today’s competitive trading environment.” Key enhancements are said to include a redesigned interface with tabbed workspaces, streamlined page templates, and colour-coded linking for faster navigation.  The company added that the platform also offers advanced riser and faller tools, real-time Fly News integration, and AI chatbot support for trading strategies. In addition, overnight trading access expands opportunities for round-the-clock equities activity. William Kehl, Chief Technology Officer at Lightspeed, said: “Our goal was to innovate without disruption, maintaining the layouts clients rely on while unlocking new capabilities that help them move faster and trade with confidence.” Existing clients can upgrade immediately with their settings carried over automatically, while new users are invited to trial the platform through demos and account openings. The post Lightspeed Launches Trader Pro Platform appeared first on LeapRate.

The crypto exchange stated that the move aims to accelerate the adoption of “agentic commerce,” where AI agents, businesses and users can transact seamlessly and autonomously. The x402 protocol leverages the long-unused HTTP “402 Payment Required” status code, embedding payments directly into web interactions.  This is said to allow AI agents, apps and APIs to exchange value as easily as they exchange data.  Coinbase explained that, unlike traditional payment systems, which rely on intermediaries and subscriptions, x402 enables instant, stablecoin-based transactions that are secure and scalable. The firm added that the foundation will focus on governance, ecosystem growth and interoperability to ensure x402 functions as an open, neutral standard. Developers will be supported with grants, tools and resources, while efforts will be made to integrate the protocol across platforms and industries. Already, x402 is being trialled across several use cases, including pay-per-use access to AI models, real-time data feeds, creator micropayments, and storage and content delivery.  The companies believe that future applications could see autonomous AI systems, such as self-driving taxis or supply chains, handling their own financial transactions. Cloudflare will contribute its infrastructure expertise, adding features such as deferred payments to its “pay per crawl” beta service.  The partners said more members would be added to the foundation over time, including e-commerce firms, AI developers and payment providers. Coinbase described the launch as a step toward “a programmable economy,” laying the foundations for a new era of digital payments. The post Coinbase and Cloudflare to Launch x402 Foundation to Pioneer AI-Driven Payments appeared first on LeapRate.

The firm explained that the proposal, now awaiting a public comment period following publication in the Federal Register, would provide cleared triparty repo capabilities to Agent Clearing Members and their Executing Firm Customers.  The service would support transactions executed either directly with the Agent Clearing Member or with other Government Securities Division Netting Members and their clients. DTCC said the new ACS Triparty Service is designed to expand central clearing access, boost market capacity and liquidity, and offer Agent Clearing Members greater margin efficiency, reduced capital requirements and balance sheet relief.  It is also expected to mitigate risks during default and stress scenarios by reducing liquidity drains and limiting potential fire sales. Laura Klimpel, Managing Director and Head of DTCC’s Fixed Income and Financing Solutions, said: “The proposed ACS Triparty Service, along with the recently filed Collateral In Lieu offering, demonstrate FICC’s commitment to meeting the needs of our clients.” The service would be delivered in partnership with BNY, which will provide its tri-party infrastructure for collateral management and settlement. BNY’s Nate Wuerffel said the new platform would “streamline access to central clearing and drive greater operational efficiency across the market.” Subject to regulatory approval, FICC aims to launch the ACS Triparty Service in December 2025. The post DTCC’s FICC Proposes New Agent Clearing Triparty Service to Boost Market Liquidity appeared first on LeapRate.

The new system is designed to help employees complete longer and more complex tasks with greater speed and efficiency, reflecting the bank’s push to become increasingly technology-driven. The platform is said to link directly with Citi’s internal systems, from its global employee directory to widely used enterprise tools, while also drawing on web search and analysis functions.  The integration allows staff to conduct detailed research, distil insights from large datasets and automate multi-stage workflows into a single process. David Griffiths, Chief Technology Officer at Citi, said: “The integration of Agentic AI into Stylus Workspaces is a pivotal moment in our commitment to empowering our workforce with cutting-edge tools. We’re giving our people smarter, faster and more connected tools so they can focus less on manual tasks and more on the big ideas that drive our business forward.” The bank added that the platform can now handle tasks that previously required multiple steps, such as identifying the top U.S. branded card businesses, extracting their strategic goals and translating findings into another language, all from a single prompt. The rollout begins this month, with thousands of employees receiving early access before a phased expansion across the firm.  Citi is also launching training programmes to help staff adopt the new capabilities effectively. The post Citi Rolls Out Agentic AI-Powered Stylus Workspaces to Boost Productivity appeared first on LeapRate.